Letters from Schools about the STARS program written in January of 2008.

From Ceres Unified School District

First of all I must say it has been a pleasure working with you and the STARS (Stanislaus Artists as Resources to Schools) program. Sinclear Elementary has been very pleased with the professionalism of each artist as well as the entire program.

Our school received a grant from Alpha Delta Kappa to bring the arts into our classrooms. The STARS program and our grant was a marriage made in heaven. We brought many different types of art genres to our students. Each grade level chose a genre and project for their grade level. Together the STARS artists and the teachers matched the program with the California State Standards and their current course of study.

We are planning an Art Faire in May along with Sinclear's open house to showcase the excellent work done by the students with the coaching of the STARS artists. These projects will be viewed by parents, district staff and community members.

Sinclear Elementary staff and students feel fortunate to have worked with the STARS program. It is our hope to be able to continue our commitment to bring the arts into our classrooms to enhance our curriculum.

It is with pleasure that I recommend the program to other schools and with the hope the STARS program will continue to enhance the curriculum and the minds of youth in the future.

Sincerely,

Connie Stark

Principal

From Agnes Baptist Elementary School

It is my pleasure to write this letter of recommendation for the STARS (Stanislaus Artists as Resources to Schools) program.

The STARS program has been well received at Agnes Baptists School. The Stanislaus Union School District board of trustees, along with the superintendent, has been stressing the need to enhance the visual and performing arts programs in our schools. The STARS program was right on target.

STARS activities and projects are consistent with California sate standards and integrate well with our curriculum. The teachers have been excited with the response to the program. Parents and children have been highly complimentary. Teachers love it. The artists are highly qualified and bring skill levels well beyond what the teachers could ever hope to deliver.

On behalf of the students and staff at Agnes Baptist I want to express thanks to you and your organization for providing such a fantastic art program.

Sincerely,

Tom Price

Principal

From Rose Avenue School

It is a pleasure to write a letter of recommendation regarding the STARS program.

The program has enabled students at Rose Avenue School to engage in extended learning opportunities in the arts that address their artistic talents while enhancing the curriculum. With the emphasis on standards, the arts are often not addressed even though it is such an important curricular area. The STARS program offers instructors who are well-schooled in their medium and help students produce amazing products. Students are exposed to great artists and are given opportunities to use different mediums such as water color and clay. Guided instructional steps allow many chances for individual creativity and success for all students, even those who are not artistically inclined. We feel very fortunate to have this program for our school.

Teachers and students are proud to display their works which receive many compliments from parents and school visitors. Thank you so much for contributing to a well rounded education for Rose Avenue students.

Sincerely yours,

Jane Griffith

Principal

From Chrysler Elementary School

This letter is in response to your request that I write a letter of recommendation regarding the STARS program. I am pleased to do so as i believe this program has been a great benefit to our students, in terms of educating them in the arts.

Stanislaus Union School District has always made a concerted effort to bring the arts into the classroom. Last year, through a generous grant from the Stanislaus Union Education Foundation, we were able to bring the STARS program to every grade level at Chrysler SChool. Both staff and students benefited from this enrichment program.

We look forward to future experiences with the STARS program. Thank you for providing this valuable resource to our students.

In Education,

Cynthia Goodwin

Principal